Wonders of the Fann Mountains Trek with Peak Energy
Accommodation, guides, transport included. 15% deposit, balance 30 days before tour starting date.
Wonders of the Fann Mountains Trek with Peak Energy Highlights
A 10-day camping trek through the heart of the Fann Mountains of Tajikistan, crowned by the ascent of Peak Energy (5,120 m). After a short look at Dushanbe, you drive into the mountains to Sangi Safed and start walking up the Imat gorge below the Ganza peaks, then cross the Bodkhona Pass (3,420 m) to the turquoise Alauddin lakes.
From Mutnoe Lake (3,500 m), the base camp for the highest peaks of the range, you climb with the guide and porters over the glacier to a camp at 4,500 m, cross the Chimtarga Pass (4,750 m) and make the summit push on Peak Energy, whose last 300 m are on glacier. The trek then crosses the Alauddin Pass (3,860 m) to the colourful Kulikalon lakes below Maria Peak and continues over the Chukurak Pass to the village of Yakkakhona. On the way back to Dushanbe you visit the mausoleum of the poet Rudaki and Iskanderkul. Donkeys carry the luggage, and a cook prepares the meals in camp.
Difficulty: Challenging A high-altitude trek with daily walks of 4–10 hours and climbs of up to 1,130 m, over the Bodkhona (3,420 m), Chimtarga (4,750 m) and Alauddin (3,860 m) passes, with a night at 4,500 m and the ascent of Peak Energy (5,120 m), whose last 300 m are on glacier at 20–40° slopes. Previous trekking experience and good fitness are needed; 7 nights in tents.
Tour Itinerary
You arrive in Dushanbe during the night (at about 1:30) and transfer to the hotel to rest. After a late breakfast at about 10:00, discover the Tajik capital: Ismoil Somoni Square, with the imposing statue of the 9th-century Samanid ruler, and the botanical garden. After lunch at about 14:00, drive about 4 hours into the Fann Mountains to Sangi Safed (2,520 m), the starting point of the trek. First night in tents.
Dushanbe, Dushanbe Botanical Garden, Sangi Safed
- Dushanbe → Sangi Safed (150 km)
Overnight: Sangi Safed (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, hike into the Imat gorge, following the Surkhob river towards the glacier, with fine views of the Big and Small Ganza peaks. Picnic lunch, then walk back down and on to the Bodkhona river. Dinner and night in tents. Walking: 5–6 hours. Ascent 650 m, descent 700 m.
Imat Gorge, Bodkhona River
- Sangi Safed → Bodkhona River
Overnight: Bodkhona River (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail climbs to the Bodkhona Pass (3,420 m) and descends to the shores of the magnificent turquoise Alauddin Lake, below the sharp peaks of Bodkhona and Chapdara. Dinner and night in tents by the lake. Walking: 6–7 hours. Ascent 1,130 m, descent 915 m.
Alauddin lakes
- Bodkhona River → Alauddin lakes
Overnight: Alauddin lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A day among the high mountains around the Alauddin lakes. Climb to Mutnoe Lake (3,500 m, about 4 hours), whose shores are the base camp for many peaks over 4,000 m, including Chimtarga (5,489 m), the highest peak of the Fann Mountains. Glaciers flow down between steep rock walls. Night in tents at the lake. Walking: 4–5 hours. Ascent 750 m.
Mutnye Lakes
- Alauddin lakes → Mutnye Lakes
Overnight: Mutnye Lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set off with the guide and the porters. The path leads onto a fairly flat glacier and snow, then climbs to the “4,500 m camp” below the Chimtarga Pass – the only place to camp here, as there is running water nearby. Night in tents. Distance: about 5 km. Walking: 5–7 hours. Ascent 990 m.
Chimtarga Pass Camp (4,500 m)
- Mutnye Lakes → Chimtarga Pass Camp (4,500 m) (5 km)
Overnight: Chimtarga Pass Camp (4,500 m) (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb on a path to the Chimtarga Pass (4,750 m). From there begins the ascent of Peak Energy, the high point of the trek for non-mountaineers. The last 300 m to the summit are on a glacier with slopes of 20–40°, and the conditions depend on the season and the weather. Descend to the pass, then past Mutnoe Lake back to the Alauddin lakes, where the whole group meets again. Night in tents. Distance: about 7 km. Walking: 8–10 hours. Ascent 600 m, descent 1,460 m.
Chimtarga Pass, Peak Energy, Mutnye Lakes, Alauddin lakes
- Chimtarga Pass Camp (4,500 m) → Alauddin lakes (7 km)
Overnight: Alauddin lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross the Alauddin Pass and descend to the colourful Kulikalon lakes, scattered over a wide plateau below the impressive north face of Maria Peak – mountains on the scale of the Alps. Night in tents. Walking: about 7 hours. Ascent 1,065 m, descent 900 m.
Alauddin Pass, Kulikalon lakes
- Alauddin lakes → Kulikalon lakes
Overnight: Kulikalon lakes (Tent camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, cross the Chukurak Pass and descend to Chukurak Lake (2,450 m) for a picnic and a rest on the shore. Then walk down to the village of Yakkakhona and take a stroll through the village. Dinner and night in a guesthouse. Walking: 5–6 hours. Descent about 1,300 m.
Chukurak Pass, Chukurak Lake, Yakkakhona
- Kulikalon lakes → Yakkakhona
Overnight: Yakkakhona (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, drive towards Dushanbe. On the way, visit the mausoleum of Rudaki, the founder of classical Persian and Tajik literature, a mosque in the village of Dar-Dar and Iskanderkul Lake, with lunch on the way. In Dushanbe, check in to the hotel and enjoy some free time in the city. Dinner and night at the Grey Hotel.
Panjrud, Dar-Dar, Iskander Kul, Dushanbe
- Yakkakhona → Dushanbe
Overnight: Dushanbe (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
This tour is only available in EUR.
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 2–3 travelers | €2,185 |
| 4–5 travelers | €1,725 |
| 6–7 travelers | €1,380 |
| 8–9 travelers | €1,265 |
| 10–11 travelers | €1,150 |
| 12–13 travelers | €1,139 |
| 14 travelers | €1,093 |
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What's included
Included
- All transport as per program
- Accommodation: a hotel in Dushanbe (1 night), a guesthouse in Yakkakhona (1 night) and tents on the trek (7 nights)
- Guide-interpreter
- Mountain guide
- Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Cook
- Donkeys to carry the luggage
- Entrance tickets
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Mineral water
- Fees for photography and filming at historical sites
- Tips for the guide, driver, cook and donkey drivers
- Single room supplement: 80 USD
- Single tent supplement: 10 USD per day
- Environmental fee: 5 USD per day
Sino is an experienced tour leader and focuses mainly on the tours in Northern Tajikistan and other parts of Tajikistan outside Pamirs.
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Sangi Safed
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 2
Bodkhona River
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 3
Alauddin lakes
Tent camp at Alauddin Lake or similar
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Night 4
Mutnye Lakes
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 5
Chimtarga Pass Camp (4,500 m)
Tent camp in the Fann Mountains or similar
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Night 6
Alauddin lakes
Tent camp at Alauddin Lake or similar
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Night 7
Kulikalon lakes
Tent camp at Kulikalon Lake or similar
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Night 8
Yakkakhona
Guesthouse in Yakkakhona or similar
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Night 9
Dushanbe
Grey Hotel or similar
Tajikistan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Tajikistan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Tajikistan before booking.
The official currency is the somoni (TJS). US dollars are accepted in some places, but the somoni is what you use day to day.
ATMs
Withdrawing cash can be difficult, so carry some cash with you. There are ATMs in Dushanbe, Panjakent, Khujand, Khorog, Isfara, Istaravshan and Bokhtar (Kurgan-Tube), and even in smaller towns, but not in Murghab. Eskhata Bank in Dushanbe is a reliable choice for US dollars and has a generous limit for somoni withdrawals. ATMs may be harder to find at weekends, and ATMs that take Mastercard can be tricky to find.
Exchanging money
US dollars and euros are widely accepted, though in rural areas without exchange offices people often prefer dollars. Changing money on the black market is illegal.
The overall security situation is generally stable and Dushanbe is relatively safe, though robbery and petty crime occasionally happen, and foreigners can be targets.
Documents
Always carry a copy of your passport's photo page, as the authorities may ask for identification.
Staying safe
- Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and stay alert in public places.
- Do not leave drinks unattended, decline drinks from strangers and keep an eye on how much you drink.
- If you are followed or harassed at the airport, report it right away to your tour agent or the consular office at the airport.
- Women travelling alone may face unwanted attention or harassment.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions.
- Smoking while walking in the street is prohibited.
- Possessing or using drugs is strictly illegal.
- Photographing anything related to the military or security services can cause trouble with the authorities.
- Same-sex relationships are not illegal, but local views are conservative and tolerance varies, especially outside the major cities.
Roads and services
- Vehicles are often poorly maintained and driving standards are basic. Fuel stations are rare outside the cities and emergency services may not be available, so bring what you need and expect delays.
- Roads outside the major cities are poor and some are passable only by four-wheel drive. Spring is especially hazardous because of avalanches and landslides.
- Energy and water shortages and power cuts are common, especially in winter and spring and mostly outside Dushanbe.
Border areas and nature
- Avoid the border area with Afghanistan because of the unstable security situation there.
- Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed a border treaty in 2025 after the clashes of 2022, and the northern Sughd region, including Khujand, is safe to visit.
- Tajikistan is prone to earthquakes, avalanches, landslides and floods.
Visitors from many countries can travel to Tajikistan visa-free. Leave the country before your visa or visa-free stay runs out, to avoid fines and having to get an exit visa.
Pamirs (GBAO) permit
A permit is required to visit the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).
Borders and customs
Tajikistan's borders can close at short notice. Declare large amounts of money on arrival, and show the customs declaration when you leave.
The best months to explore Tajikistan are April, May, June, September and October. September may be the very best: the heat on the plains has eased and nearly all mountain passes are still open.
Autumn
In September the markets are full of fresh produce and the landscape turns golden.
The Pamirs
The best time to visit the Pamirs is August.
Summer and winter
Summers are dry and very hot, up to 40°C in the lowlands. Winters can be extremely cold, down to −20°C in the mountains, and heavy snow in the west can disrupt winter routes and close the high passes.
Medical facilities in Tajikistan are limited and essential medicines are often in short supply. Outside Dushanbe facilities are basic, and some areas have almost none.
Insurance
Before you go, check that your destination can provide any medical help you might need, and make sure your travel insurance covers treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. If you are sent to a medical facility, contact your insurer straight away.
Medicines
Some medicines containing codeine are strictly prohibited. Check that any medication you bring is legal, and declare all medicines and other restricted items on arrival.
Vaccinations and risks
Ticks are common in forests and rural areas from spring to autumn. Improperly disposed uranium and pesticides in the northern Sughd region are a possible health hazard. At a minimum, get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and tetanus before your trip.
Tour updated